A LOOK BACK AT THE OVC -2015.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

curious from folks from the traditional ovc teams as to how they like the addition of ironton and Portsmouth and now galipollis. many got their first time playing ironton and Portsmouth. and now here come the blue devils. personally I thought it was very exciting. and good parity. and the league sent 3 teams to the playoffs ironton, rock hill and Chesapeake. I think this is a great small school league now I really do.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

now like the bengals we have to step up and show we can not only get teams in the playoffs but win playoff games.i've told everybody I was dead set against it in the beginning. I felt ironton needed to keep playing the enourmous teams of past and stay independent. but I must have had rose colored glasses on, and apparently one of the last to realize how much things had actually changed in ironton.admittedly I was spoiled by bob lutz football. but the man had to retire sooner or later.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I think the new version of the ovc will see more numbers out in football as they realize there is more parity. and the teams are not that far apart. the biggest shock to me was fairland. and if memory serves me correct I don't think they won any games. sure like to see that team get squared away, and back on track.

but overall I'm really sold on it now. our teams will still get opportunities to play the more traditional powerhouse programs as we advance to the playoffs. I'm also so proud of the rock hill redmen's emergence back out of the dark with their football program. I spent 32 years in that district. I think what they have done is a remarkable turn around.and now the redmen have mark ''hammer'' lutz in their junior high system as a head coach, from the ironton lutz family. that will be a tremendous asset to the redmen program.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

and the travel is awesome. providing awesome rivalries to develop. and ironton continues to play the burg, Ashland, and Russell. nobody could ask for any better travel assignments than that during the regular season.

[Firebreather]

I agree bait. The league needed some new life and Ironton and Portsmouth brought it. Gallia will be a great addition as well. I think Fairland will return in 2-3 years as a contender. Coach just needs some time to put his program in place. All other sports benefit as well. The reputation of the OVC will improve as the years go by.

[LetsGoPSU]

An awesome move for the Trojans,they cut down on travel, still get to face local teams, Burg, West, Valley,and also are in a competitive league in most sports. I love it!

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

gallipollis needed this as bad as anybody as well. they were going nowhere fast and personally I look for the seoal to disband. as much as I've loved it through the years. just to much movement from outlying leagues taking a team here and there into their leagues. logan and Jackson may have to go the independent route for a while as ironton did all them years. but both programs are ready for it. and basically you can make the schedule as hard as you want. it certainly battle tested the fighting tigers all through those years as an independant.the blue devils are certainly going through a drought talent wise and it does not help playing the logans, and jacksons if you aren't winning any of them. I too think this will breathe fresh life into the league. AS WELL AS CREATE NEW RIVALRIES THAT ARE GEOGRAPHICALLY NEXT DOOR ANYWAY.

[MeyerSpread]

My only concern of the new OVC is will Ironton ever lose a game?

[Omega]

The "new look" OVC's first year in football featured surprising parity. Great for the student athletes and their fans, 2016 should only get better with the addition of Gallia Academy.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I agree.

[Poo Bear]

Bait ,

I'm Normally a positive poster but let's be honest.
Ironton and gallia are only a shell of what they used to be with.
Portsmouth hasn't been good for years either

Yes the OVC added 3 big names but right now now 3 great programs
I do realize ironton is still a heavy hitter in the area but nothing like they used to be

[1champion00]

Why look back at it. Kids need to stay with the school they are brought up in. There needs to be some competition. Couple teams are ok and the rest are real bad.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

Bait ,

I'm Normally a positive poster but let's be honest.
Ironton and gallia are only a shell of what they used to be with.
Portsmouth hasn't been good for years either

Yes the OVC added 3 big names but right now now 3 great programs
I do realize ironton is still a heavy hitter in the area but nothing like they used to be

I could not agree with you more poo. this was a change that was needed for everyone involved in the league. I truly mean that. there should be very excellent parity in this league right now. and I truly feel that anyone can win it. the difference will be coaching, and off season preparation. whichever staff does that the best will have the best teams.